Vehicles queue up at sheds fearing shortages

Long vehicle queues have been witnessed outside fuel stations in Colombo and outstations after the fuel distributors claimed they were suspending placing of new orders for fuel purchases in protest against reducing their commission payments.

Spokesman for the fuel distributors Kusum Sandanayaka told TimesOnline that since payments for tomorrow’s fuel was made by Friday 10:00 a.m., the bowsers are expected to arrive at the sheds as usual on tomorrow (Saturday), but no further fuel orders will be placed until the government reverses the decision regarding the reduction of  commission payments.

He said the three per cent commission has been reduced to 1.7 per cent.

He said that the fuel storage would be sufficient for only another two or three days, until next Tuesday. However, if the government does not reverse its decision, there may be a fuel shortage across the country.

He added that out of the 435 shed owners who signed the agreement today to oppose the government's decision, other shed owners, including corporate sheds, have also agreed to support them.

However , Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Chairman D. Janaka Rajakaruna told Timesonline that only a limited number of shed owners have joined the protest and that there is sufficient fuel available in government and corporate sheds.

He said that a meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday with the Fuel Distributors Association to discuss the issue.